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F. H. WATSON v PNEUMATIC INNER TUBE AND VALVE STEM July 5, 1932..

original Filed oci. 2:5. 1930 0,! www v ATTORNEY lNvENToR 157i Reissued July 5, 1932 UNITED STATES Re A18,513

imi'riiNifV 4caricia'.

FRANK H. WATSON, F JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, vASSIGNOIR. TO YTHE Il'. H. WATSON GOI- PANY, 0F LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWAIIE i PNEUHATIG INNER TUBE AND 'VALVE STEM original No. 1,804,294, dated my 5.11931, serial no. iconos. nieu october as, naso.- application for reim med January 7, 1932.

This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic tires and it 'consists' of the constructions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

e One of the outstanding objects of the invention is to provide a pneumatic inner tube with an integral valve stem or filling tube of either the same or similar yieldable material for the purpose of enabling ilexure to the stem l0 in the event of deflation of the innerv tube so that thestem can bend over and even 'flatten down against the inner tube during the distortions and strains to which the latter is then subjected, without any possibility of injury 1;, either to the valve stem or the delicate valve insides customarily used. l f

A further object of the invention', and one contributing largely to the successful funcparts `making up the core, casing, and cap relative to the stem length and the Wheel-rim orifice through which the stem is inserted and 3 0 withdrawn, that, as a whole, the stem and itsv 'superposed parts can pass the rim aperture without jamming; and further there will lbe a suiiicient len h of yieldable stem to give the necessary exibility for the stem and its associated parts to adapt'themselves to any distorted positions without injury either to themselves lor to the tube or casing.

A further object of the invention 1s to provide a combined valve stem ofyieldable material and' a separable core or valve insides container, the advantage of the latter being the ability of replacement in the event of any possible mechanical defect or damage in or to the original. Y Another object of the invention is to proimproved core container.

.the possibility of tearing the inner tube from' ,its moorings to the valve stem by virtueof c inner tu Serial No. 585,404.

vide a more effective and enduring air seal for the customary ca a portion of the valve stem being so locate as toprovide a seat Ifor the rim of thecap. l

Other objects and advantages will a pear in the following specication, reference eing had to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 ,is a partial side elevation of a. wheel havin the improved inner tube and valve stem incorporated therein, portions being shown in section in order to illustrate internal construction.

Figure 2 is a vertical line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective .view of the section Ataken on the Figurel is a perspective view of the yieldablevalve stem body alone.

Figure 5 is a detalil perspective view ofthe metallic sleeve or band.

Persons havin had experience with deflated tires, either ofg the high pressure or balloon l t` pes, know that damage of minor or grave lc aracters to the inner tube are apt to occur if the vehicle is kept running for even ashortL 7o distance. The prevailing custom isto connect a metal valve stem with the inner tube by means of a jam nut, insert the valve stem through a hole in the rim and secure the valve stem to the rim with another jam nut.

In instances where the second jam nut is in place there is of course no possibility of the valve stem dropping inside ofthe casing upon deation of the inner tube but there is the creeping actionl of the casing over the e and the resulting frictionalpull on the inner tube that isbound to occur by vir-- A tue of the remaining air at least underl atmospheric pressure.

Very often the motorist will omit the sec'- ondl 'am nut, and then in the event of a denated tire the foregoing frictional pull of thel .v casing on the inner tube will draw thevalve lill 'stem through the hole and bend it to such an 'extent that its further usefulness is instantly destroyed. This metal valve stem can then tire member or tube 3 in the following manner. To all intents and purposes the valve stem is an integral part ofv the inner tube. The stem lis mounted so that the fla 2 contacts the inside -of the tube 3 around t e hole.

This not only gives a part of the stem 1 the Y added functlon of reinforcing the tube, but eliminates the need for a patch customarily used in attaching the stem to. the inner tube. This simplification of the construction enables an actual savin of from two to five cents on the mounting a one ofthe valve stem.

A feature of outstanding importance in the valve stem 1 is its tapering shape 4f This shape is purposely adopted as a means of enabling and insuring the passage of the valve stem 1 through the h'ole 5 in the rim 6 with the' least posslble resistance in the event of the deflation of the inner tube 3. Moreover, the tapering shape contributes to no small extent both to the easy flexure of the valve stem in ,passing through and to the erect posture when the tire is inflated.

Figure 1 illustrates the valve stem '1 in its normally erect position when the inner tube 3 is proprly inflated. Upon deflation of the inner tu t e valve stem 1 will drop through the hole 5, butduring the motion of the casing 7 relatively to the rim 6 and the consequent shifting of the inner tube 3 there will also be an immediate tendency to bend the valve stem 1. The bent position is indicated in dotted lines 8. The tapering shape 4 facilitates the slipping -of the valve, stem through the hole 5, and even should the valve stem be flattened against the periphery ofthe rim 6 there would never be a rupture at its point of connection with the inner tube nor would there be any damage to the associated parts vfor reasons presently brought out.

Superimposed on the end of the valve stem 1 is a metallic sleeve9 and valve cap 10. The valve cap has a tubular extension 11 which is slotted at 12 according to custom so as to enable using the inverted cap for the extraction of the core or insides. It is to be observed that the parts 9, 10 and 11 are of successively smaller diameters. This arrangement is purposely adopted in order to carry out the tapering shape 4 of the valve stem 1. There are no outstanding parts whatever that might in any way act as an obstruction of the free passage of the valve stem through the hole 5 in the forediameter. Itis uponv this thimble end that the metallic sleeve 9 is forced under pressure. 'This sleeve can be fitted on so tightly that it will never come off in ordinary use. The thickness of the sleeve 9 is such that the outer surface does not come quite flush with the adjoining parts of the valve stem 1. This leaves a very slight `annular projection of the valve stem at the base of the sleeve 9, the purpose being an insurance of the step down in size between the two A fabric liner 27, incorporated in the valve stem 1, extends into the thimble end or terminal 13 for the purpose of reinforcing the latter. In ractice the amount of rubber between the s eeve 9 and the extended fabric in the thimble end 13 is very little. The thinness of the rubber` at this place enables a virtual grip of the sleeve on the fabric, thus preventing the forcible slipping olf of the sleeve under pressure.

An important function of the metallic sleeve 9 is to confine the rubber or other yieldable materiall of which the thimble end 13 is composed. A narrow, annular portion of the thimble 13 appears inside of the upper end of the sleeve 9 providing a seat 15 against which the rim of the cap 10 can be forced in screwing the cap down thus to make an air tight joint.

The prevailing custom in making valve caps is to employ a rubber Washer on the inside. In repeatedly screwing the cap down against the metallic valve stem this washer becomes grooved and sometimes cut to such an extent that it will not hold compression-v and since the valve cap is often relied upon to hold compression it follows that flat tires often result from the fault at this point. By confining the portion 15 by the sleeve 9 there is no ossibilit whatever of spreading of the rubber, an it is immaterial how often the cap 10 is screwed down because there will always be available material to compose an eflicient valve seat. To this end the external diameter of the cap 10 is less than the internal dia-meter of the sleeve 9 so that the cap can be screwed down into the sleeve if necessar ituated on the inside of the thimble 13 is a core or valve insides container 16 (Fig. 3). This comprises tubular portions 17 18 of Which the latter is smaller than the former.

10 and to receive the follower 19 ofthe core or insides 20. i The core maybe of any known type. he tubular portionV 18 has fa nick-hitch thread (Fig. 3) which insures the olding of the core container ,in place and enables its' quick application when screwing the core container 16 into the chamber l2'that occursat the upper end of the valve stem 1. This chamber extends down past the level of the shoulder 14 and terminates at a shoulder 22 whence the bore 23 extends to the base of the l tube- 1 and to the inside ofthe inner tube 3.

Screwing in 'of the core container 16 is continued until the portions 17, 18 rest on the respective seat 15 and shoulder 2 2. `The portion 17 may beflattened on opposite sides as at 24 (Fig. 3) to provide a pincer hold and thus avoid damaging the threads. f

Inl ractice it is'not absolutely essential.

that tie portion 18 shall abut the shoulder 22. The portion 17 acts largely in the ca pacity of an internal filler for the thimble end 13. The thimble end will b e under great compression between the portions 17 and V sleeve 9, and like the sleeve 9 the portion 17 4prevents spreading'of the confined material so that the valve cap seat15 will always retain a desired" uniformity.

It is to be observed that the rim 6, heretofore generally alluded to, is of the type known as drop center. The'drop center 25 (Fig. 2) consists of an annular'depression in the rim.

r It is in rims of this type that havoc is wrought most notably to the inner vtubes and valve stems upon del-lation because the same design ofstructure that facilitates an easy applical tion of the Vcasing-7 in the ylirst place also makes a quick releasefof the casing upon deflation of the inner. tube. l

It is not uncommon for the casing to ily oil' of the rim almost immediately upon deflation. This meansv that unless some safety revision is adopted the inner tube will be instantly torn to pieces. Byproviding the inner tube with the valve stem 1, bearing in mind its'specic' shape as `well as appurtenances, they inner tube can effect a release from the rim as easil as the casin and even should the stem 1 be. ent complete y over no harm would come toit.

In rare instances the core container 16 may sustain damagewhich although-minor may warrant its removal. For example, the screw threads on the plortion 17 might become c .case the container 16 is stripped. In su rea i y se arable from'the rest of the valve a stem 1, an a new container 16 can be inserted lianceis put on the fact of friction between Afrom the rim aperture.

the inner tube 3 and its contacting parte to keep it and the valve stem in place. It is intended that the valve stern lshall clear the'I l edge of the hole making .a joint that will ex- \clude both dirt and water. Drop center wheels do not customaril carry inner tube flaps :thus making possib e\.a direct contact of the rounding 26 with the edge of the hole.

Furthermore the rounded area 26 which I.merges into the tapered stem surface, provides a surface which, in event of deflation andsudden Withdrawalof the stem through the aperture in the rim, will ride easily over the ted e of the rim aperture, lead the stem natura ly and gradually to the rim aperture, and eliminate anyr catching or checking lof the tapering stemin its delivery under stress While theconstruction and arrangement of the improved pneumatic inner tube and valve stemis that of a generally-preferred form,

obviously modifications and changes may be v made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the sc ope of the claims.

I claim:

the'cap enabling fitting of the rim of the cap down inside of s aid means.

2. A valve stem having' a thimble providing an external shoulder, an internal bore ending in a chamber and providing a. should- 1.-A valve stemt of yieldable material, a Y

er, a core container having a core and including a portion inserted in the chamber in contact with the shoulder and having a larger "portion .extending above' the thimble, a cap fitted on said larger portion to protect the core, and a sleeve tted on the thimble to confine the stem material therein, said confined material providing a seat `for the rim of the cap. l

3. A valve stem, a core containerv having a portion insertedfinto said stem and a core, a

cylindrical sleeve to assist in holding the container on the stem, anda cylindrical cap `fitted on said container to protect the core," y

lsaid stem and cap being insubstantially end vto end Contact, and said stem, sleeve, and cap being of successively smaller diametersto establish a enerally tapering configuration.

4. A tublilar valve stem composed of yleldable material having tapering sides and a cy-` lindrical thimble end of minor length being of lesser diameter than the adjacent part of the stem, a core container having a portion itted in the stem, said portion being substantially (zo-extensive with said thimble end leaving the major part of the stem `llexible, and. a cap fitted on the exposed remalnder of said container being of lesser diameter than the thimble end.

5. A yieldable valve stem for tires comprising a base-member adapted to be secured to a tire, a stem-member having a longitudinal bore, and provided with a tapering exterlor, and relatively rigid valve parts the external dia-meter of which valve parts is not greater than the smallest exterior diameter of said stem-member carried by and extending upwardly from the upper end of the stem-member, said valve parts being of a length and diameter relative to the length of sald Stemmelnber to allow free flexing of the stem-member substantially throughout its length and permit it readily to pass without jamming through a rim aperture and'prevent injury to stem or tire when the tire is deflated.

6. A yieldable valve stem for tires comprising a base-member adapted to be secured to a tire, a stem-member having a longitudinal bore joined to said base-member and having a curved mergence area with said base-member at the point of joinder, said stem-member having a tapering exterior, and relatively rigid valve parts the external diameter of which valve parts is not greater than the smallest exterior diameter of said stem-member mounted on and extending upwardly from the upper end of the stem-member, said valve parts being of a length and diameter relative to the length of said stemmember to allow free flexing of the stemmember substantially throughout its length and permit it readily to pass without jamming through a rim aperture and prevent injury to stem or tire when the tire is deflated.

' joined to said base-member, said stem-mem-- 7. A yieldable valve stem for tires comprising a base-member adapted to be secured to a tire, and a stem-member of gradually decreasing diameter from its bottom upwardly ber being uniformly and increasingly yieldable from its bottom upwardly and having an o internal bore of uniform diameterwith valve member being uniformly and increasingly yieldable from its bottom upwardly and having an internal bore of uniform diameter terminating at the top in an enlarged socket to receive valve parts.

9. A yieldable valve stem for tires comprising a base-member ada ted to be secured to a tire, and a stem-mem er of gradually ldestemor engaging the stem with an inner l tube, and a valve assembly secured in the opposite end portion of said stem and spaced from said base so that the major portion'of the rubber composition of the stem and which is disposed between the base and the valve assembly is freely flexible, 'said rubber composition stem having itsI outer wall tapered from the base toward the valve assembly, the

maximum diameter of the metallic assembly being less than 'the minimum diameter of the exposed portion of the valve stem, whereby that portionvof the valve assembly projecting beyond the end of the rubber valve stem presents in eect a continuation of the tapering surface of said rubber stem. i

11. In combination, a valve stem of yieldable material, means carried by the stem and having a relatively short extension beyond the tip end of the stem, said extension having a cross section smaller than that of the tipend of the stem so that the latter presents a shoulder at the base of said extension, and a cap engageable with said means and having a rim which seats on said shoulder when the cap is fully engaged with saidmeans.

12. In combinatlon, a valve stem of yieldable material, means carried by the stem and having a relatively short extension'beyond the tip end of the stem, said extension having a cross section smaller than that of the tip end of the stem so that the latter presents a shoulder at the base of said extension,` a cap engageable with said means and having a rim which seats on said shoulder when the cap is fully engaged with said means, and means for coniinin the tip. portion of said stem for maintainlng the durability of the seat portion-thereof.

`13,. A vulcanized inner tube for a pneumatic tire casing adapted to be mounted on an apertured rim, said tube having a flexible vulcanized rubber stem adapted to be projected through the aperture in a rim, said rubber stem being nonmetallicly and airtightly joined to the inner tube; valve means for inflating the inner tube carried by-said stem at its end remote from the inner tube,

' said stem and valve means being dimensioned .,-an'd arranged and sand stem being of a cross sectional area at its valve means carrying portion substantially less than the area of the opening in the rim so as normally to permit the withdrawal of said stem and valve means through the aperture in the rim on deation of the inner tube in service while rotating without damaging said tube or stem.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. v

FRANK H. WATSON. 

